If you’re looking for a smartphone under RM1,000 and enjoy going off the beaten path then this gem of a Windows Phone might be something you want to consider.

The Lumia 620 is Nokia’s definition of value for money. Featuring a 3.8-inch 800×480 (246ppi) ClearBlack display and an interchangeable back cover that comes in seven colours, the entry-level Lumia packs a 1GHz dual-core Krait processor with 512MB RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. In addition, there’s a microSD card slot to expand capacity all the way to 64GB if you need it.There’s also NFC support if that tickles your fancy and a 5MP rear camera with 720p video recording and a VGA camera completes the package.

Admittedly, the specs are nothing to shout about and there’s no LTE support but for RM799, the Lumia 620, which runs Windows Phone 8, is a worthwhile alternative if you’re not looking for a cheap Android phone.

The Nokia 620 goes on sale this Friday.

Sidenote: The HTC Windows Phone 8S packs virtually identical hardware as the Lumia 620 — the screen on the HTC is slightly larger at 4-inches and it has half the onboard storage of the Lumia — but we have not seen HTC really push the device here in Malaysia. If you can find one, it’s worth a look but we’re not sure if it can match the Nokia for value.